God Does Not Tempt

James 1:12-16 CJB

"How blessed is the man who perseveres through temptation! For after he has passed the test, he will receive as his crown the Life which God has promised to those who love him. No one being tempted should say, “I am being tempted by God.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, and God himself tempts no one. Rather, each person is being tempted whenever he is being dragged off and enticed by the bait of his own desire. Then, having conceived, the desire gives birth to sin; and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death. Don’t delude yourselves, my dear brothers"

James 1:12-15 GW Version

"Blessed are those who endure when they are tested. When they pass the test, they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. When someone is tempted, he shouldn’t say that God is tempting him. God can’t be tempted by evil, and God doesn’t tempt anyone. Everyone is tempted by his own desires as they lure him away and trap him. Then desire becomes pregnant and gives birth to sin. When sin grows up, it gives birth to death"

The desires of the flesh are the things thay lay a trap for many people. Sometimes, one may not know how they got into that very position to begin with. Or, how it happens time and time again. Bad habit patterns are common repetitive cycles. So, how do you stop the continuous circling?

Proverbs 26:11 "Like a dog that returns to its vomit, a fool does the same foolish things again and again"

Easier said than done, you spend some time getting to know yourself. Notice what happens before you fall. What is your vice? This leads to the 7 deadly sins. They are some of the desires of the flesh that causes people to stumble.

Consequences are always felt

~Nijahism

Lust:

Matthew 5:28 "Lust – to have an intense desire or need: “But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart"

Pride:

Proverbs 16:18 "Quality or state of being proud – inordinate self esteem: “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall"

Wrath:

Proverbs 15:1 "Strong vengeful anger or indignation: “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger”

Greed:

Ephesians 4:19 "Excessive or reprehensible acquisitiveness: “Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more”

Sloth (Laziness):

Proverbs 15:19 "Disinclined to activity or exertion: not energetic or vigorous: “The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway”

Gluttony:

Proverbs 23:21 "Excess in eating and drinking: “for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags"

Envy:

1 Peter 2:1-2 "Painful or resentful awareness of an advantage enjoyed by another joined with a desire to possess the same advantage: “Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation"

1 John 1:19 KJV "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness"

Let us thank God for the free gift of salvation, forgiveness and his saving grace. It is because of his mercy that mankind is forgiven when one sins/backslides. It is not the desire of God to punish his creation, but it is his desire to prosper his people. (Jeremiah 29:11)

Amen